Monument record MHG56383 - Cairn, Balblair Wood

This possible hut circle or enclosure, identified by GUARD in 2005 during a walkover survey and DBA exercise in advance of the proposed Beauly-Denny OHL Replacement line, consists of a turf and moss covered bank of up to 0.8 m in height and 2.5 m in width. The feature is approximately 9 m by 7 m. <1> See also the relevant extracted chapters from the EIA report. <2>

This feature was noted during a partial walkover survey by Highland Archaeology Services in 2011. <3>

This feature was evaluated by Northlight Heritage in June 2012 as it lay on the site of a proposed converter station as part of SHETL Western Isles Commection Programme. A single trench (T7) was excavated to investigate the feature, which was found to comprise a pile of small and medium sized cobbles within a silty sand matrix. No artefacts or deposits were found but the feature was identified as a cairn. <4>

<1> GUARD, 2010, Beauly to Denny 400kV Powerline: Cultural Heritage Survey Sites Highland, ES No 005, GUARD Field Survey No 296 (Dataset/Database File). SHG25589.

<2> Sneddon, D., 2005, Proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV Overhead Transmission Line: Environmental Statement (Cultural Heritage) (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG25750.

<3> Wood, J, 11/2011, Beauly Substation, Balblair, Inverness: Walk-over Survey and Watching Brief (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG25587.

<4> Becket, A., 2012, Western Isles Converter Station: Archaeological Evaluation: Balblair Woods, Beauly, Highland, FTR005 (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG25853.